- Daily Business News From Throughout North Carolina -

The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) and Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) will be teaming up to host several community blood drives in memory of Isabella Santos on Saturday, March 9.

The following blood drives are being held on what would have been Santos’ 14th birthday to honor her life and legacy:

• Isabella Santos Center in Ballantyne

12239 N. Community House Road, Charlotte

7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

*There will also be a bloodmobile parked in front of the Isabella Santos Center

• Overture Cotswold

4830 Randolph Road, Charlotte

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

*Hosted by the mother (Stephanie Forman) of Isabella’s best friend

• Firebirds/Jersey Mike’s (Stonecrest)

7716 Rea Road, Charlotte

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

*Two bloodmobiles will be located in the parking lot across from Firebirds and Jersey Mike’s

• At Four of CBCC’s Donor Centers from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

o Charlotte Center: 4447 South Blvd.

o Concord Center: 363 Church Street North, Suite 170

o Gastonia Center: 2524 East Franklin Blvd, Suite E

o Hickory Center: 2217 Highway 70 SE

CBCC will also be raffling off $100 gift cards to donors who schedule their March 9 appointment prior to the day of the drive. For questions or to make an appointment for any of these blood drives, visit http://savinglocallives.com/isabella or call 1-888-59BLOOD.

Isabella Santos passed away at age seven from a five-year battle with neuroblastoma, a rare type of pediatric cancer. During her treatment, she received several blood and platelet transfusions. According to CBCC, cancer patients are the No. 1 recipients of blood products. One local children’s hospital alone requires nearly 300 units of red blood cells and more than 100 units of platelets each month.

“Community Blood Center of the Carolinas has been an incredible partner and supporter throughout Isabella’s cancer journey and with our efforts to carry on her legacy to impact the lives of children with cancer,” said Erin Santos, executive director and president of the Isabella Santos Foundation. “We appreciate the community coming together on March 9 in memory of Isabella and to support local patients who need life-saving blood.”

“We value our relationship with the Isabella Santos Foundation, which is the manifestation of Isabella’s legacy of community support and caring,” said Martin Grable, president and CEO of CBCC. “It is very rewarding to partner with such an ambitious and highly successful group of people dedicated to raising awareness of rare childhood cancers. We encourage the public to make a difference by rolling up their sleeves and giving blood in memory of Isabella [Santos] and to save local lives.”

About Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

Community Blood Center of the Carolinas is the local nonprofit, community-based blood center and the primary blood supplier to the region’s hospitals. CBCC collects blood and blood products from volunteer donors in the community to return to the community at the lowest possible cost consistent with the highest possible standards. CBCC is a member of America’s Blood Centers, North America’s largest network of community-based, independent blood centers that provide more than 50 percent of the nation’s blood supply. For more information, visit http://www.cbcc.us/.

For more information on hosting a blood drive or donating blood in your area, visit www.cbcc.us or call 1-888-59BLOOD. Follow Community Blood Center of the Carolinas on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BloodCenter, on Instagram https://instagram.com/cbccarolinas/ and on Twitter www.twitter.com/CBCCarolinas.

About Isabella Santos Foundation

The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) is a 501(c)3 childhood cancer foundation dedicated to raising funds for research for rare pediatric cancers, and charities that directly impact the lives of children with cancer. ISF was founded in honor of Isabella Santos from Charlotte, N.C. who lost her battle against neuroblastoma. ISF is committed to improving rare pediatric cancer treatment options in an effort to increase the survival rate of kids with cancer so they can live their dreams. ISF has donated over $3 million to date to expand the scope of pediatric cancer research and treatment, and to fill various needs surrounding childhood cancers.